This chapter is from the book

Chapter 3: Installing and Configuring PHP

In the last of the three installation-related chapters, you will acquire, install,
and configure PHP and make some basic changes to your Apache installation. In
this chapter, you will learn

How to install PHP with Apache on Linux/Unix

How to install PHP with Apache server on Windows

How to test your PHP installation

How to find help when things go wrong

The basics of the PHP language

Current and Future Versions of PHP

The installation instructions in this chapter refer to PHP version 4.3.3,
which is the current version of the software. The PHP Group uses minor release
numbers for updates containing security enhancements or bug fixes. Minor
releases do not follow a set release schedule; when enhancements or fixes are
added to the code and thoroughly tested, the PHP Group will releases a new
version, with a new minor version number.

It is possible that by the time you purchase this book, the minor version
number will have changed, to 4.3.4 or beyond. If that is the case, you should
read the list of changes at
http://www.php.net/ChangeLog-4.php
for any changes regarding the installation or configuration process, which makes
up the bulk of this chapter.

Although it is unlikely that any installation instructions will change
between minor version updates, you should get in the habit of always checking
the changelog of software that you install and maintain. If a minor version
change does occur during the time you are reading this book, but no installation
changes are noted in the changelog, simply make a mental note and substitute the
new version number wherever it appears in the installation instructions and
accompanying figures.

NOTE

For instructions on installing PHP from the CD, please refer to Appendix A,
"Installing MySQL, Apache, and PHP from the CD-ROM."